Exploring the ferromagnetic behaviour of Zn1-xZrxO1±d nanostructures synthesized through gel-combustion route

The present work shines light on magnetic properties of zirconium-implemented ZnO nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that all as prepared samples including the highest Zr (5 mol %) in the crystal lattice of ZnO have a pure phase with hexagonal wurtzite structure. Magnetization measurements on the same system reveal a ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition temperature ≤300 K with a low-temperature transition. Hysteresis is clearly observed in magnetization versus field (M-H) curves at low temperature for all studied nanoparticles. The magnetization (M) and coercivity (Hc) value obtained for undoped ZnO and the Zr doped ZnO nanoparticles show significant changes in M-H loop on increasing Zr concentration. The M-T measurement analysis exhibited the undoped ZnO shown here maximum magnetization value. Both undoped and Zr doped ZnO nanoparticles exhibit a Curie transition temperature (Tc).